KR20200056372A - Electronic device with protective case and operating method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an electronic device, which comprises: a main body including a touch screen; a first cover supported on the main body; a second cover installed to be operated with the first cover, and selectively protecting the touch screen; a connection unit formed extending from the second cover and connected with the first cover; and a window provided in the second cover. When the second cover is activated, information displayed on the touch screen can be checked through the window. The usability of the device can be improved by enabling the touch input on an upper portion while the second cover is operated.

Description

ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH PROTECTIVE CASE AND OPERATING METHOD THEREOF}

The present disclosure relates to an electronic device, and more particularly, to an electronic device having a protective case and a method of operating the same.

Recently, with the development of multimedia technology, electronic devices having various functions have appeared. It is common for these electronic devices to have a convergence function that performs one or more functions in combination.

Moreover, as electronic devices, mobile terminals classified as so-called 'smart phones' are becoming mainstream. In particular, the mobile terminal is equipped with a display module of a large-screen touch type, and in addition to the basic function of communication with a counterpart, it is equipped with a high-pixel camera module, so that it is possible to shoot still images and videos. In addition, multimedia contents such as music and videos can be played, and web surfing can be performed by connecting to a network. These mobile terminals are gradually progressing to perform various convergence functions more rapidly by having a high-performance processor, and the main function of communication with the other party has been remarkably developed to be regarded as an additional function.

Meanwhile, in recent years, consumers who purchase electronic devices such as expensive smartphones protect the appearance of the device when using it, and use a separate protective case mounted on the electronic device to maintain the best grip. Such a protective case generally uses a material having excellent texture, and is composed of a folder type, and when an electronic device is used, the cover of the protective case is opened to expose a display module (for example, a touch screen), and the electronic device is used. When the device is not in use, the entire device is protected by closing the cover to cover the display module. However, such a protective case focuses only on protecting the electronic device uniformly and does not have any other functions.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure may provide an electronic device having a protective case for providing various functionalities and a method of operating the same.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure may provide an electronic device having a protective case capable of checking state information of the electronic device even when the cover is closed, and a method of operating the same.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure may provide an electronic device having a protective case capable of controlling the electronic device even when the cover is closed, and a method of operating the same.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic device includes a main body including a touch screen, a first cover supported on the main body, and a second cover connected or attached to the first cover and selectively protecting the touch screen, It may be formed extending from the second cover and connected to the first cover and a window provided in the second cover. According to various embodiments, it may be attached to a part of an electronic device including a display ( a detachable configured connector and a cover connected to the fastener, wherein the cover is configured to cover at least a portion of the display of the electronic device, and the cover comprises: When the cover covers at least a portion of the display, it may include a window configured to expose at least a portion of the display.

According to various embodiments, the window may include a plate that is at least partially transparent or translucent.

According to various embodiments, the device may include a magnet or an electromagnet embedded at least partially in the cover.

According to various embodiments, the device may further include an electronic integrated circuit (IC) chip at least partially embedded in the cover.

According to various embodiments, the cover includes a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer including a portion interposed between the first and second layers (third layer), each of the first layer and the second layer includes an opening in a position forming the window, and the third layer is at least partially transparent or translucent to form the window It may further include a portion (portion).

According to various embodiments, the device further includes a linking part that connects the binding part and the cover, and the connection part has a bendability, tension, stiffness, and flexibility of a selected value. (flexiblity).

According to various embodiments, the cover further includes a third layer between the periphery of the first layer and the periphery of the second layer, wherein the third layer comprises the first layer and the first layer. It may include a material that is interposed between two layers to impart one or more of bendability, tension, stiffness, and flexiblity of the selected value.

According to various embodiments, the periphery of the first layer and the periphery of the second layer may be attached to each other.

According to various embodiments, the binding part may be a battery cover configured to cover a battery embedded in the electronic device.

According to various embodiments, the binding part may be configured to cover at least one surface of an external housing of the electronic device.

According to various embodiments, the binding part may include a magnet or an electromagnet, and the magnet or electromagnet may be configured to be attached to a portion of the electronic device.

According to various embodiments, an external housing including a display; A connection part detachably connected to a part of the housing; And a cover connected to the binding portion and configured to cover or open the display, wherein the cover may include a window exposing at least a portion of the display when the cover covers the display. have.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device further includes a processor, and the processor may be configured to change the operation of the display in response to the cover touching or touching the display.

According to various embodiments, when the display is substantially covered by the cover, the processor turns on display of only a portion of the display exposed through the window and turns off display of the remaining portion of the display. Can be.

According to various embodiments, the cover may include one or more of a magnet, an electromagnet, or an IC chip. According to one embodiment, one or more of a magnet, electromagnet, or IC chip may access the display.

According to various embodiments, the device further includes a processor, wherein the processor operates the display in a first mode when one or more of the magnet, electromagnet, or IC chip is adjacent to the outer housing, When one or more of the magnet, electromagnet, or IC chip is dropped from the outer housing, the display is operated in a second mode, and the first mode and the second mode may be different.

According to various embodiments, the processor, in the first mode, may provide a user interface only on a portion of the display.

According to various embodiments, the processor may turn on a portion of the display in the first mode and turn on the entire display in the second mode in response to receiving a call signal.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the device further includes a processor, and when the one or more of the magnet, electromagnet, or IC chip is adjacent to the outer housing, the user input unit of the electronic device is first Operating in a mode, and when one or more of the magnet, electromagnet, or IC chip is dropped from the outer housing, the user input of the electronic device is operated in a second mode, and the first mode and the second mode are different. can do. According to an embodiment, the user input unit may be a touch screen and a similar user input module.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, when the cover covers the display, the cover includes a first surface facing to the opposite side of the display, and the processor, in the first mode, when the cover covers the display, the user input unit Through, it can respond to the user's touch input on the first surface of the display, and in the second mode, through the user input unit, it can respond to the touch input on the display.

According to various embodiments, the touch input may include one or more of direct touch input or non-touch non-touch input. According to various embodiments, a body including a display may be used. ); It includes a processor embedded in the main body, and the processor may provide a user interface to only a portion of the display when an object outside the main body is adjacent to or covers the at least a portion of the display. According to an embodiment, the electronic device may include a first mode when the object is not adjacent to or covers at least a portion of the display in a turn-on state or a standby state; Or when the object abuts or covers at least a portion of the display, has a second mode, and the processor is configured to provide a different user interface on the display in the first mode and the second mode. Can be.

According to various embodiments, the processor may be configured to receive a hovering input in the second mode.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device may further include a sensor embedded in the display or sensing a magnetic force adjacent to the display.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device may further include a sensor that detects the approach of the external object.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device further includes a cover configured to be attached to a portion of the main body, and the external object may be a magnet embedded at least partially in the cover.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, in an electronic device, an electronic device main body including a display, a rear cover removably attached to the main body, and a rear cover are configured to be foldable to cover at least a portion of the display. It includes a front cover configured to be (capable of covering), a connection portion connecting the front cover and the rear cover, and a window included in the front cover, wherein the front cover forms a surface that can contact the display It may include an endothelial layer, an outer layer facing the opposite side of the inner layer, and a plate sandwiched between the inner layer and the outer layer.

According to various embodiments, the first cover may be a battery cover mounted on the rear surface of the electronic device, and the first cover may be a separate protective cover accommodating the rear surface of the electronic device.

According to various embodiments, the first cover may be formed of one or more of materials such as, for example, PC, PC_ABS, PC_GF, CFRP, GFRP, Glass, rubber, silicon, but is not limited thereto.

According to various embodiments, one or more button receiving grooves for accommodating key buttons exposed or protruding from the electronic device may be formed on a surface of the second cover that is in contact with the touch screen.

According to various embodiments, when the second cover is operated, a step portion may be formed on an inner edge of the second cover to facilitate opening.

According to various embodiments, a connection body of a predetermined length is installed in the first cover, and a connection portion of the second cover may be fixed in a manner interposed between the first cover and the connection body. In one embodiment, a connector mounting portion formed in the first cover, a plurality of mounting projections protruding at regular intervals to the connector mounting portion, and a plurality of corresponding formations of the connection body to be mounted on the mounting projection Including the insertion protrusion, the connecting portion of the second cover is temporarily assembled in such a way that the mounting protrusion is penetrated through a plurality of correspondingly formed through holes, and the insertion protrusion of the connector is inserted into the mounting groove formed in the mounting protrusion. Can be final assembled.

According to various embodiments, the second cover is an outer layer forming an outer appearance of the second cover, and an inner layer laminated on the outer layer and interposed between the inner layer and the inner layer and the outer layer contacting the touch screen during operation, or Further reinforcement plates may be included. According to one embodiment, the reinforcing plate is interposed so as not to be larger than the endothelial layer and the outer layer so that the inner layer and the outer layer can be joined by avoiding the reinforcing plate along an edge. According to an embodiment, a seating portion for forming the reinforcing plate may be formed on the endothelial layer, and an edge of the seating portion may be formed to be higher than a seating surface of the reinforcing plate of the seating portion. According to one embodiment, the rim of the outer layer and the rim formed higher than the seating surface of the seating portion of the inner layer may be joined. According to one embodiment, a step portion may be formed on a border of a surface of the inner skin layer that contacts the touch screen by the border. According to one embodiment, the outer layer and the inner layer may be formed of one or more of, for example, leather, artificial leather, wool, CFRP, GFRP, PC, Glass, sapphire, or the like, but is not limited thereto.

According to various embodiments, a window portion for the window is formed on the reinforcing plate, and at least the window portion may be formed of a transparent material. According to an embodiment, openings may be formed at positions corresponding to each other between the outer layer and the inner layer, so that the window portion of the reinforcement plate is exposed. According to one embodiment, the window portion of the reinforcing plate may be formed to protrude by the depth of the opening formed in at least one of the outer layer or the inner layer. According to one embodiment, the window portion of the reinforcing plate is formed at a height that does not protrude from the opening formed in the endothelial layer, so that even if the front cover is operated, the window portion may not be in contact with the touch screen.

According to various embodiments, the outer layer and the inner layer may be thermocompression molded or bonded along the rim to avoid the reinforcement plate. According to one embodiment, depending on the degree of thermocompression molding to the connecting portion of the outer layer and the inner layer, one of the operating speed, inflection angle, tension, stiffness, flexibility according to the operation of the second cover, or You can control the abnormality. According to an embodiment, when joining the connecting portion of the outer layer and the connecting portion of the inner layer, an operating speed, an inflection angle, tension, and rigidity according to the operation of the second cover by interposing one or more materials therebetween ( You can also control one or more of stiffness and flexibility.

According to various embodiments, in order to detect the operating state of the second cover by the sensing means provided in the electronic device, a sensing means may be further interposed between the inner skin layer and the outer skin layer. According to an embodiment, the sensing means is a magnet, and the sensing means may be a hall sensor or a reed switch for sensing the magnetic force of the magnet. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronic device may further include a proximity sensor installed on a surface in contact with the second cover in order to detect an operation state of the second cover. According to an embodiment, the electronic device may further include an image sensor installed on a surface in contact with the second cover to sense the folding state of the second cover. According to one embodiment, the magnet may be interposed between the outer layer and the reinforcing plate or between the inner layer and the reinforcing plate. At this time, the magnet may be mounted in a magnet mounting groove formed on the surface of the reinforcing plate. According to one embodiment, one or more of the operating speed, the inflection angle, the tension, the stiffness, the flexibility (flexiblity) of the second cover may be adjusted according to the installation position of the magnet.

According to various embodiments, grooves are formed on a surface of the reinforcing plate contacting the endothelial layer, so that when the endothelial layer and the reinforcing plate are joined, the recess portion is recessed and used as a button receiving groove of the electronic device have.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic device may include a main body including a touch screen, a cover installed to be operable in the main body, and a cover provided to selectively protect the touch screen and a window provided on the cover.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic device includes a main body including a touch screen, a rear cover supported by the main body, and a front cover installed to operate with the rear cover to selectively protect the touch screen, It is formed extending from the front cover and connected to the rear cover, and the connecting portion includes a connection body for connecting and fixing a part of the rear cover and a window provided on the rear cover, wherein the front cover is the second It may include an outer layer forming the outer surface of the cover, an inner layer laminated on the outer layer, and one or more reinforcing plates interposed between the inner layer and the outer layer layer in contact with the touch screen during operation.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, in an operating method of an electronic device including a cover that is rotated in an operating manner to protect a touch screen, an input of a touch at an upper portion of the cover according to an operation of checking whether the cover is operated and an operation of the cover To this end, it is possible to provide a method including an operation of performing a cover touch mode.

According to various embodiments, the operation of checking whether the cover is operated may include an operation of detecting a blood detection means provided on the cover. According to an embodiment, the operation of checking whether the cover is operated may be an operation of sensing the magnetic force of the magnet provided in the cover.

According to various embodiments, the operation of performing the cover touch mode may include displaying status information of the electronic device through a window included in the cover. According to an embodiment, the status information (eg, battery level information of the electronic device, weather information, time information, transmission / reception sensitivity, message transmission / reception information, etc.) may be included in one or more, but is not limited thereto. .

According to various embodiments, the operation of performing the cover touch mode may include an operation of performing a corresponding function according to a touch input on the upper portion of the cover. According to an embodiment, the corresponding function outputs various status information of the electronic device displayed on the touch screen through a window included in the cover, and outputs sound information such as voice and sound output through the electronic device. It may be one or more of a function, a function of outputting tactile information such as vibration output through an electronic device.

According to various embodiments, an operation of checking whether a touch input to a cover occurs for a certain period of time among the cover touch modes and an operation of deactivating the cover touch mode or an electronic device when the touch input does not occur for a certain period of time It can contain.

According to various embodiments, after the cover touch mode or the electronic device is deactivated, an operation of checking whether an event for activation of the cover touch mode or the electronic device has occurred, and when the event occurs, performing the cover touch mode again. It may further include. In one embodiment, the event checking operation for activating the cover touch mode may be an operation of accepting an output request for displaying output information. In one embodiment, the output information may include one or more of a text message provided from another electronic device, a notification message provided from another service provider, a notification message generated from the electronic device itself, a notification sound, and notification vibration. Can be. According to one embodiment, the output information may be a notification display for notifying the user in a call connection state. For example, it may be information including whether a call originator or a phone number is confirmed and received, rejected, or rejected and a rejection message is transmitted simultaneously.

According to various embodiments, the event checking operation for activating the cover touch mode may be an operation sensed by an input of a key button disposed outside the electronic device in order to perform a predetermined function.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device

It includes a touch screen, a cover selectively operated to protect the touch screen, at least one processor, a memory and a program stored in the memory and driven by the one processor, wherein the program includes It is confirmed that the operation is performed, and according to the operation of the cover, a cover touch mode may be performed to enable a touch input from the top of the cover.

According to various embodiments, as a computer-readable recording medium having an operable cover and storing instructions, when the instructions are executed by a device having a touch screen, the device checks whether the cover is operated, According to the operation of the cover, a cover touch mode may be performed to enable touch input from the top of the cover.

According to the various embodiments described above, the electronic device may be protected and the state information of the electronic device may be checked while the cover is closed or the electronic device may be controlled.

1 is a perspective view of an electronic device having a protective case according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;
2 is a plan view showing a state in which the front cover of the protective case according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 is closed;
3 is a plan view of a protective case showing a state in which the electronic device according to an embodiment of FIG. 1 is removed;
Figure 4a is an exploded perspective view of a protective case according to one embodiment of Figure 1;
4B is an exploded perspective view of the protective case according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 when viewed from different angles;
Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the other side of the reinforcement plate according to one embodiment of Figures 4a and 4b;
Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the other side of the connector according to one embodiment of Figures 4a and 4b;
Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a main portion of a combined state of the protective case according to one embodiment of Figures 4a and 4b;
8A and 8B are views illustrating opening and closing operations of the front cover of the protective case according to the position of the magnet according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;
9A to 9D are views showing various configurations of a connection portion of a protective case according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;
10 is a view showing the configuration of a reinforcement plate according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;
11A to 11E are views showing various configurations of a cover according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;
12 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;
13 is a block diagram of a processor according to an embodiment of FIG. 12;
14 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;
15 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a cover touch of an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; And
16A and 16B are graphs comparing sensitivity according to a direct touch mode and a cover touch mode of an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in describing various embodiments of the present disclosure, when it is determined that detailed descriptions of related known functions or configurations may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of various embodiments of the present disclosure, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. In addition, terms to be described later are terms defined in consideration of functions in the present embodiment, which may vary according to a user's or operator's intention or practice. Therefore, the definition should be made based on the contents of various embodiments of the present disclosure.

In describing various embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic device will be described based on a touch screen capable of performing an input process through an input device and a display process through a display unit on a single physical screen. In this document, the term "display unit" may be used by replacing the term "display" with the term. Accordingly, although the display unit and the input device are separately illustrated in the device configuration of various embodiments of the present disclosure, when the display unit is expressed, the input device may be included or the input device may be represented by the display unit. Moreover, it should be understood that in various embodiments of the present disclosure, the display may be described as a touch screen (device).

In addition, various embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to electronic devices including a touch screen, and can be applied to various electronic devices. For example, the display unit and the input device may be applied to electronic devices that are physically separated and separated. will be.

In describing various embodiments of the present disclosure, an electronic device including a touch screen as a display unit and to which a protective case can be applied is illustrated and described, but is not limited thereto. For example, as an electronic device, various devices including a touch screen, that is, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a laptop computer (Laptop Computer), a mobile phone (Mobile Phone), a smart phone (Smart Phone), a netbook (Netbook), portable It is applicable to various devices such as Internet Device (MID: Mobile Internet Device), Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC), Tablet PC (Tablet Personal Computer), navigation, and MP3.

1 is a perspective view of an electronic device having a protection case according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state in which the front cover of the protection case according to an embodiment of FIG. 1 is closed, and FIG. 3 is 1 is a plan view of a protective case showing a state in which the electronic device is removed according to an embodiment.

1 to 3, the electronic device 100 protected by the protection case 200 includes a touch screen 101, a speaker module 102 installed on an upper portion of the touch screen 101, and a speaker module ( 102), a plurality of sensors 103 disposed on one side, a camera module 104 disposed on one side of the sensors 103, and a microphone 105 installed below the touch screen device 101. Can be. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and additional components other than the above-described components may be added, and one or more components other than the touch screen among the above-described components may be excluded.

For example, the electronic device 100 may be protected by a protective case 200 coupled or attached in a folder type or a flip type. However, the protective case 200 may also operate in a sliding type. The protective case 200 is integrally extended from the rear cover 230 supporting the rear surface of the electronic device 100, the front cover 210 for protecting the front surface of the electronic device 100, and the front cover 210. It is formed and may include a connection portion 220 for connection to the rear cover 230.

The rear cover 230 may be installed to support the rear side of the electronic device 100. The front cover 210 may be connected by the rear cover 230 and the connection part 220 to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the front cover 210 is disposed in a manner that the front cover 210 is raised on the top of the touch screen 101 to protect the touch screen 101 of the electronic device 100. It may be a state as shown in Figure 1, it may be a state in which the electronic device 100 can be used.

Here, it will be described that the case where the front cover 210 overlaps with the touch screen 101 of the electronic device 100 by rotating relative to the back cover 230 will be described, and the front cover 210 will be described as the back cover. It will be described that the case of FIG. 1 that is easy to use by the direct touch of the touch screen 210 of the electronic device 100 by rotating on the basis of 230 will be described.

Meanwhile, when the transparent window 2101 is installed on the front cover 210, a part of the touch screen 101 of the electronic device 100 can be visually confirmed. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 2, the electronic device 100 detects that the front cover 210 is closed and displays status information of the electronic device in an area of the touch screen 101 corresponding to the transparent window 2101. The user can use the electronic device through the transparent window 2101 even when the front cover 210 is closed.

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the transparent window 2101 is disposed at one place on the upper side of the front cover 210, but is not limited thereto. For example, a plurality of transparent windows may be respectively disposed at different positions of the front cover 210 according to an operation method of the electronic device 100 to display information. According to an embodiment, the transparent window 2101 may have an area that does not exceed 50% of the total area of the front cover. According to various other embodiments, the one or more transparent windows may have a display area of about 5%, about 10%, about 15%, about 20%, about 25%, about 30%, about 35%, about 40%, about Area of 45%, about 50%, about 55%, about 60%, about 65%, about 70%, about 75%, about 80%, about 85%, about 90%, about 95%, or about 100% Can have According to another embodiment, the area for the display of the transparent window is a range that makes any two of the percentages listed above the maximum and minimum values (e.g., about 20-50%, about 30-60%, about 40-80%).

According to one embodiment, a key button 106 protruding from the electronic device 100 is formed by forming one or more button receiving grooves 2103 on a surface of the front cover 210 in contact with the touch screen 101. It can also be prevented from being pressed arbitrarily by the closing of the 210. In addition, by forming a step portion 2135 on the rim of the surface of the front cover 210 that is in contact with the touch screen 101, when the front cover 210 is closed, the user lifts the step portion with a finger or the like to front. The cover 210 can be easily opened.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, in various embodiments of the present disclosure, the front cover 210 is formed to have a size that matches the touch screen 101 of the electronic device 100, but is not limited thereto. For example, by forming the end of the front cover 210 to be extended and bendable, the front cover 210 may be formed in a shape that can protect the side surface 107 of the electronic device 100 when it is closed. It may. In addition, the front cover 210, the connection portion 220, and the lower cover 230 of the protective case 200 are various key buttons applied to the electronic device 100, components protruding or recessed, components requiring penetration And a corresponding structure may be applied. Also, the waterproof protection may be applied to the protective case 200.

The rear cover 230 may have a plurality of tension protrusions 2301 formed at specific intervals along the inner rim, and elastic grooves (not shown) in which these tension protrusions 2301 are formed corresponding to the rear surface of the electronic device 100 It can be assembled to be detachable in a manner that is seated.

The back cover 230 may be formed of a synthetic resin material, and is not limited thereto, for example, a metal material, GFRP, CFRP, rubber, silicon, PC, PC_ABS, PC_GF, but may be formed of various materials, but is not limited thereto. no. The rear cover 230 may be formed as a battery cover that is directly assembled to the rear of the electronic device 100, but is not limited thereto. For example, the rear cover may be a separate injection material configured separately from the electronic device 100 to accommodate the rear surface of the electronic device 100.

According to various embodiments, an opening 231 may be formed in the rear cover 230. The opening 231 may perform a function of exposing components installed on the rear surface of the electronic device 100, for example, a camera module. In this case, various additives such as an effect filter and a gray card for white balance may be further applied to the inside or outside of the rear cover 230 through the opening 231.

According to various embodiments, the magnet 2128 is installed on the front cover 210, and a magnetic force sensing means for sensing the magnetic force of the magnet 2128 may be installed at a corresponding position of the electronic device 100. According to an embodiment, when the front cover 210 is closed to contact the display 101 of the electronic device 100, the magnetic force sensing means is installed at a position of the electronic device capable of sensing the magnetic force of the magnet 2128 Can be. As the magnetic force sensing means, a hall sensor, a reed switch, or the like for sensing the magnetic force of the magnet 2128 may be used, but is not limited thereto.

According to various embodiments, the front cover 210 is electronically similar to the direction in which the display 101 of the electronic device 100 is covered by the flexibility of the connection unit 220 connecting the front cover 210 and the rear cover 230. It may also flow in a direction to cover the rear cover 230 of the device 210 from the back. Accordingly, the electronic device 100 is closed by the magnetic force of the magnet 2128 installed on the front cover 210, but the front cover 210 is closed even though the front cover is not closed and flows in a direction covering the back of the rear cover 230. Can be recognized. Therefore, when the front cover 210 flows in the direction of covering the rear cover 230, shielding means 2302 and 2129 may be required to shield the magnetic force of the magnet 2128 from being recognized.

In one embodiment, the shielding means 2302 is as shown in Figure 3, when the front cover 210 flows in the direction to cover the rear cover 230, the magnet 2128 of the front cover 210 and The shielding means 2302 may be disposed at a position of the corresponding rear cover 230. As the shielding means 2302, various materials having a shielding layer capable of shielding the magnetic force of the magnet can be used. In one embodiment, the shielding means 2302 may be a sheet-shaped shielding agent disposed at a corresponding position of the rear cover 230. In one embodiment, when the shielding means 2302 is applied in the form of a sheet, the thickness of a single sheet may be 0.2 mm. In one embodiment, the shielding means 2302 may be applied in a form in which a plurality of sheets are stacked. For example, four sheets having a thickness of 0.05 mm may be stacked and used. In one embodiment, as the material of the shielding means 2302, Fe-based alloys (amorphous), Ni-based, Co-based alloys, etc., or other other classes having magnetic permeability may also be used.

In one embodiment, when using a means such as an electromagnet or a solenoid or a power line using a magnet or DC current generating a DC magnetic field as a magnetic force generating means for generating magnetic force, a magnetic material (Fe, Co , Ni) or a magnetic alloy to bypass the path of the magnetic force line to perform a shielding action. In one embodiment, a magnetic field of the same size as the magnetic field generated by means such as a magnet or a solenoid or a power line using a magnet or a DC current generating a DC magnetic field may be formed to counteract and cancel the magnetic field.

In one embodiment, when using a means such as an electromagnet or a solenoid or a power line using AC current generated by an AC magnetic field as a magnetic force generating means for generating magnetic force, a conductor is applied to the AC magnetic field by applying a conductor as a shielding means for shielding it. The magnetic field generated by the eddy current flowing on the surface of the conductor may be offset by the magnetic field. In one embodiment, the shielding means 2129, as shown in Figure 3, the front cover 210 The magnet 2128 of may be further included in a position overlapping the installed area. In one embodiment, the shielding means 2129 may be installed to sense the magnetic force of the magnet 2128 only when the front cover 210 flows in a direction covering the electronic device 100. In one embodiment, the shielding means 2129 may be disposed between the magnet 2128 and the outer cover layer (211 of FIG. 4A) based on the magnet 2128. In one embodiment, the shielding means 2302 and 2129 may be selectively installed on the front cover 210 or the rear cover 2302 or may be installed at corresponding positions of the front cover 210 and the rear cover 230. .

Figure 4a is an exploded perspective view of the protective case according to one embodiment of Figure 1, Figure 4b is an exploded perspective view of the protective case according to an embodiment of Figure 1 from a different angle, Figure 5 is one of Figures 4a and 4b It is a perspective view showing the other side of the reinforcement plate according to the embodiment, Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the other side of the connecting body according to one embodiment of Figures 4a and 4b, Figure 7 is one of Figures 4a and 4b It is a sectional view of main parts showing a combined state of a protective case according to an embodiment. According to one embodiment, FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective view of the protective case in a state in which the front cover is closed, and FIG. 4B is an exploded perspective view of the protective case in the state in which the front cover is open.

4A and 4B, the front cover 210 includes an inner skin layer 213 in contact with the touch screen 101 of the electronic device 100, an outer skin layer 211 and an inner skin layer stacked on the upper surface of the inner skin layer 213. And a reinforcement plate 212 interposed between the layer 213 and the outer layer 211. The outer layer 211 and the inner layer 213 may be formed of various materials such as leather, artificial leather, wool, CFRP, GFRP, PC, Glass, sapphire, but are not limited thereto. The outer layer 211 and the inner layer 213 may be formed of metal, or may implement various surface treatment effects by painting or the like. The reinforcing plate 212 may be formed of a transparent material, for example, acrylic, epoxy, CFRP, GFRP, PC, conductive material, glass, sapphire, and various other materials, but is not limited thereto.

The outer layer 211 and the inner layer 213 may be assembled such that the reinforcing plate 212 interposed therebetween is not exposed to the outside, and accordingly, the inner layer layer 213 has a reinforcing plate 212 seated thereon. A portion 2131 is formed. Therefore, the rim 2134 of the seating portion 2131 may be formed to be higher than the surface of the seating portion 2131, and accordingly, the surface of the endothelial layer 213 contacting the touch screen 101 of the electronic device 100. A step (2135 in FIG. 7) can be naturally formed on the rim.

A first opening 2112 to which the first window portion 2122 formed to protrude on the first surface 2121 of the reinforcing plate 212 may be exposed may be formed on the outer layer 211 at a corresponding position, and the inner layer ( A second opening 2132 may be formed at a corresponding position so that the second window portion 2125 protruding from the second surface 2124 of the reinforcing plate 212 is also exposed to the seating portion 2131 of the 213). have.

When the front cover 210 is closed at the mutually corresponding positions of the outer layer 211, the inner layer 213, and the reinforcing plate 212, the speaker sound emitted from the speaker module 102 of the electronic device 100 is external. First, second, and third outlets 2113, 2133, and 2123 for discharging may be formed, respectively. Also, the outer layer connecting portion 221 of the outer layer 211 and the inner layer connecting portion 223 of the inner layer 213 may be combined with each other to constitute the connecting portion 220 of FIG. 1. The first through hole 222 is formed at regular intervals in the outer layer connecting portion 221, and the second through hole 224 is also formed in the inner layer connecting portion 223, so that the outer layer 211 and the inner layer 213 are formed. When assembled, each through hole 222, 224 may function as one through hole at a position corresponding to each other.

As shown in FIG. 5, a second window portion 2125 may be protruded on the second surface 2124 of the reinforcing plate 212 in contact with the seating portion 2131 of the endothelium layer 213. In addition, a magnet mounting groove 2126 in which a magnet 2128 having a magnetic force can be mounted may be formed at a suitable location on the second surface 2124. As illustrated, the magnet mounting groove 2126 is formed in a circular shape, but may be formed in a shape corresponding to various shapes of the magnet 2128 to be mounted. In addition, in the present embodiment, the magnet 2128 is provided on the second surface 2124 of the reinforcement plate 212 in contact with the inner skin layer 213, but the first surface of the reinforcement plate 212 in contact with the outer skin layer 211 It may be installed in place at (2121). In this case, the magnet mounting groove may be formed on the first surface 2121 of the reinforcement plate.

When the front cover 210 of the protective case 200 is closed, the magnet 2128 may be used as a detection means for detecting it by the sensing means of the electronic device 100. In this case, a hall sensor or a reed switch capable of sensing the magnetic force of the magnet 2128 may be used as a sensing means installed at a corresponding position of the electronic device 100.

7 is a cross-sectional view of the front cover 210 viewed from the direction A-A 'of FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 7, grooves 2127 having a predetermined depth may be formed on the second surface 2124 of the reinforcing plate 212. When the front cover 210 of the protective case 200 is closed, the recess 2127 may be formed at a position corresponding to the key button 106 protruding from the surface of the electronic device 100 in contact with the front cover 210. Can be. In the groove 2127, when the endothelial layer 213 and the reinforcement plate 212 are assembled, the position of the endothelial layer 213 corresponding to the key button 106 of the electronic device 100 is recessed, as shown in FIG. The same button receiving groove 2103 can be induced to be formed. In an embodiment, even if the front cover 210 of the protective case 200 is closed, the key button 106 of the electronic device 100 is accommodated in the button receiving groove 2103, so that the key button 106 is arbitrarily pressed. Can be prevented.

The reinforcement plate 212 is exposed to the first and second openings 2112 and 2132 of the outer layer 211 and the inner layer 213, respectively, and a first window portion 2122 performing the function of the transparent window 2101 of FIG. ) And the second window portion 2125 are formed as unprocessed portions, and portions of the first and second surfaces 2121 and 2124 respectively contacting the outer layer 211 and the inner layer 213 may be formed as a processed portion. The processing unit may be processed to enhance adhesion between the outer layer 211 and the inner layer 213.

The inner skin layer 213 and the outer skin layer 211 may be thermocompression-molded along an edge with a reinforcing plate 212 interposed therebetween. However, it is not limited thereto, and may be assembled by bonding with an adhesive. When the inner layer 213 and the outer layer 211 are thermocompressed, the frame 2134, except for the border of the outer layer 211 and the seating portion 2131 of the inner layer 213, are directly in contact with each other and are assembled. Problems such as external exposure of the reinforcing plate 212 may be improved. As shown in Figures 4a to 6, the connector 240 is a plate portion 241 having a length and width for mounting to the connector mounting portion 232 formed on the rear cover 230, and the connector mounting portion A plurality of inserting projections 2412 for mounting on the mounting projections 233 protruding at regular intervals at 232 are projected on the plate portion 241. Therefore, when the connector 240 is mounted on the connector mounting portion 232 of the rear cover 230, the upper surface of the plate portion 241 of the connector 240 coincides with the inner surface of the rear cover 230. Preferably, the tension protrusions 2411 are also formed at regular intervals on the surface opposite to the surface on which the insertion protrusion 2412 of the plate portion 241 is formed, thereby assembling the elastic grooves disposed at the rear surface of the electronic device 100. Can be. PC, PC_ABS, PC_GF, etc. may be used as the connector 240.

When the outer layer 211 and the inner layer 213 interposed with the reinforcing plate 212 are thermocompression-molded, the first through holes 222 formed in the outer layer connecting portion 221 and the second through holes formed in the inner layer connecting portion 223 224 correspond to each other and are formed as final through holes. The mounting protrusions 233 formed on the connector mounting portion 232 of the rear cover 230 are temporarily assembled to these through-holes, and the front cover 210 and the rear cover are assembled by assembling the connecting member 240 on the upper portion thereof. 230 are connected to each other. At this time, mounting grooves are respectively formed in the mounting projections 233, and assembly can be completed in such a way that the insertion projections 2412 of the connector 240 are inserted into the mounting grooves.

In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 4B, a shielding means mounting groove 2303 for applying the shielding means 2302 may be formed on the rear cover 230. In one embodiment, the shielding means 2302 may be fixed to the rear cover 230 by a bonding, bonding, or other process. The shielding means 2302 is disposed at a corresponding position of the rear cover 230 to prevent the magnetic force of the magnet 2128 disposed on the front cover 210 from being detected from the back of the electronic device 100.

8A and 8B are views illustrating opening and closing operations of the protective case front cover according to the position of the magnet according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

8A and 8B, according to an installation position of the magnet 2128 installed on the front cover 210, it is possible to define an inflection angle between the direction to be opened and the direction to be closed of the front cover 210. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8B, the front cover 210 may be naturally rotated in the direction to be opened (the ① direction in FIG. 7B) or the direction to be closed (the ② direction in FIG. 7B) based on the inflection angle θ. have.

According to the installation angle of the magnet 2128 based on the inflection angle θ, the inflection angle, tension, stiffness, flexibility, etc. according to the opening / closing direction of the front cover may be adjusted. For example, when the magnet 2128 is installed in the B area farther from the connection part 220 than when the magnet 2128 is installed in the B area of the front cover 210, the opening / closing speed may be faster based on the inflection angle θ. In addition, the inflection angle may be slightly changed according to the installation position of the magnet 2128. That is, the inflection angle can be adjusted by defining the installation position using the magnet 2128 as a weight.

9A to 9D are views illustrating various configurations of a connection portion of a protective case according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

According to various embodiments, the inflection angle, tension, and opening / closing speed of the front cover 210 may be adjusted by configuring the connecting portion 2200 of the protective front cover 210. Also, the direction in which the front cover 210 is to be opened or It is possible to induce convenient opening and closing of the front cover by acting in a direction to be closed.

According to various embodiments, as shown in FIG. 9A, the thermocompression region 2135-1 is enlarged to a portion of the connection portion 220-1 of the front cover 210-1 to enlarge the front cover 210-1. The direction of opening and closing can be induced. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 9B, the opening and closing direction of the front cover 210-2 may be induced by widening the thermal compression region 2135-2 of the front cover 210-2 than in the case of FIG. 9A. . For example, the inflection angle, tension according to the opening / closing direction of the front covers 210-1 and 210-2 by adjusting the thermal compression regions 2135-1 and 2135-2 with respect to the connecting portions 220-1 and 220-2, You can also control stiffness, flexiblity, etc.

According to various embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 9C and 9D, the front cover 210-3, 210-4 is interposed with separate materials 2202, 2203 inside the connection parts 220-3, 220-4. ) It is also possible to adjust the inflection angle, tension, stiffness, and flexiblity according to the opening / closing direction.

FIG. 9C shows a plurality of slits 2203-1 interposed in a plurality of materials 2202 at specific intervals in a connection part 220-3 of the front cover 210-3. It may be formed to be interposed in the connecting portion (220-4).

10 is a view showing the configuration of a reinforcing plate according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 10, two reinforcement plates 212-1 and 212-2 may be embedded in the front cover 210-5 including the outer layer and the inner layer. At this time, the first reinforcing plate 212-1 is formed with a transparent window 2101-1 to be exposed to the outer layer and the inner layer, respectively, and the second reinforcing plate 212-2 is formed with the outer layer. It can be installed so as not to be exposed between the endothelial layers. Therefore, in this case, the first reinforcing plate 212-1 may be applied in a non-processed state for the transparent window 2101, and the second reinforcing plate 212-2 is processed to enhance adhesion between the outer layer and the inner layer. Can be processed. In this case, a problem in the process of processing the unprocessed part and the processed part together on a single reinforcing plate may be improved.

Here, reference numeral 220-5, which is not described, is a connecting portion, and 2102-1 is a speaker sound emitting port.

11A to 11E are diagrams illustrating various configurations of a cover according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Although in this drawing, different components are described for components of the outer layer, the inner layer and the reinforcing plate, this is only for convenience of description, and the same configuration as the inner, outer layer and reinforcing plate of the front cover is the same. Note that only the configuration applied to the transparent window is different.

Referring to FIG. 11A, a reinforcing plate 260 may be interposed between the outer layer 250 and the inner layer 270. The reinforcement plate 260 includes a window portion 262 exposed through the outer layer opening 251 of the outer layer 250 and the inner layer opening 271 of the inner layer 270, and the outer layer 250 and the inner layer 270. It includes a bonding layer 261 to be bonded with. At this time, in this embodiment, the auxiliary plate 280 is further interposed between the endothelial layer 270 and the reinforcing plate 260. The auxiliary plate 280 may assist the function of the reinforcing plate 260, and in particular, when the reinforcing plate 260 has a soft portion such as transparent acrylic, it can assist. GFRP or CFRP may be used as the auxiliary plate 280.

Referring to FIG. 11B, a reinforcing plate 260-1 is interposed between the outer layer 250-1 and the inner layer 270-1, wherein the reinforcing plate 260-1 does not have a separate protruding window portion. . Accordingly, a level difference in thickness of the openings 251-1 and 271-1 formed in the outer layer 250-1 and the inner layer 270-1 may occur in the transparent window.

11c, a reinforcement plate 260-2 is applied between the outer layer 250-2 and the inner layer 270-2, wherein the reinforcement plate 260-2 is an inner layer at the junction 261-2. It has only the window portion 262-2 protruding by the opening 271-2 of (270-2), and a step may be generated as much as the opening of the outer layer 250-2, and the edge of the step portion may be overcome to overcome the step. It is possible to reduce the appearance level difference by forming a built-in specification portion (252-2).

11D, a reinforcement plate 260-3 is applied between the outer layer 250-3 and the inner layer 270-3, and the openings 251-2 of the outer layer 250-3 and the inner layer 270-3 are applied. , 271-3) and the same size as the reinforcing plate 260-3 also shows an opening 261-3. In this case, since a separate window portion does not exist, when the front cover of the protective case is closed, the touch screen of the electronic device includes the outer layer 250-3, the inner layer 270-3, and the reinforcement plate 260-3. It can be exposed directly through the opening 261-3.

11E, a reinforcement plate 260-4 is applied between the outer layer 250-4 and the inner layer 270-4, and the window portion protruding by the opening of the outer layer 250-4 at the junction 261-4 is applied. It has only (262-4), and a level difference as much as the opening 271-4 of the endothelial layer 270-4 may be generated. In order to overcome this step, the step of the exterior may be reduced by forming a stepped portion 272-4 with a stepped edge. In this case, since the touch screen surface of the electronic device contacting the endothelial layer 270-4 does not directly contact the reinforcing plate 260-4, scratches on the touch screen that may occur due to frequent opening and closing of the front cover are prevented. can do.

12 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic device may detect opening and closing of the front cover of the protective case. For example, the magnetic force of the magnet installed on the front cover of the protective case can be detected by a hall sensor installed at a corresponding position of the electronic device. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the closing of the front cover may be detected by a proximity sensor installed in the electronic device. Also, the closing of the front cover may be detected by an image sensor installed in the electronic device. In addition, corresponding sensing means of the electronic device may be installed to detect other sensing means installed on the front cover.

Hereinafter, when the configuration of the electronic device having the above-described configuration is described with reference to FIG. 12, the electronic device 100 includes a memory 110, a processor unit 120, an input / output processing unit 130, and a display unit 131. ), An input device 132, an audio processing unit 133, and a communication system 136. Each component can communicate with one another through one or more communication buses or signal lines 108.

The description of each component is as follows.

The memory 110 includes a program storage unit 111 for storing a program for controlling the operation of the electronic device 100 and a data storage unit 112 for storing data generated during program execution, and the processor 122 In the operation of, data generated in the program can be stored.

For example, the data storage unit 112 stores database information that can be used in the process of determining the related programs being executed by the processor 122 through the touch recognition control program 117, and displays the related programs in the display unit 131. ), Data such as setting information necessary for configuring an operation of a graphic user interface (GUI) may be stored.

The program storage unit 111 includes an application program 113, a graphical user interface (GUI) program 114, a communication control program 115, an input / output control program 116, and a touch recognition control program 117. It can contain. Here, the program included in the program storage 111 may be composed of a set of instructions and may be represented as an instruction set.

The application program 113 may include software components for at least one application program installed in the electronic device 100.

The GUI program 114 may include at least one software component for graphically providing a user interface to the display unit 131. For example, the GUI program 113 may control to display the application program information driven by the processor 122 on the display unit 131.

If it is determined to enter the cover touch mode through the touch recognition control program 117, the GUI program 113 may be controlled to display display information only in an area of the display unit 131 corresponding to the transparent window of the front cover. Furthermore, when the touch recognition control program enters the cover touch mode through the 117 and the touch information input through the upper surface of the front cover is determined, the display information corresponding thereto is displayed only in the area of the display unit 131 corresponding to the transparent window. Can be controlled.

The communication control program 115 may include at least one software component for controlling communication with one or more other electronic devices using the communication system 136. For example, the communication control program 115 may search for other electronic devices for connecting communication. If another electronic device for communication connection is found, the communication control program 115 establishes a connection for communication with another electronic device (connection set up). Thereafter, the communication control program 115 may control to transmit and receive data with other electronic devices through the communication system 136 by performing performance discovery and session establishment procedures with other connected electronic devices. have.

The input / output control program 116 may display the operation of the electronic device 100 on the display unit 131, and receive an operation command of the electronic device 100 from the outside through the input device 132.

The touch recognition control program 117 may include at least one software component for determining a corresponding function according to touch information input from an upper portion of the front cover when the cover touch mode is activated under the control of the processor 122. . Also, according to the cover touch mode, a software component for determining a corresponding function for displaying display information only in a region corresponding to the transparent window region of the display unit may be included.

The memory 110 included in the electronic device 100 may be composed of one or more, multiple. In addition, depending on the purpose, the program storage unit 111 may function alone, the data storage unit 112 may function alone, or both functions. Due to the characteristics of the device, the physical region inside the memory 110 may be separated. It may not be clear.

The processor unit 120 may include a memory interface 121, at least one processor 122, and a peripheral device interface 123. Here, the memory interface 121, the at least one processor 122, and the peripheral device interface 123 included in the processor unit 120 may be integrated into at least one circuit or implemented as separate components.

The memory interface 121 may control access to the memory 110 of components such as the processor 122 or the peripheral device interface 123.

The peripheral device interface 123 may control the connection between the input / output peripheral device of the electronic device 100 and the processor 122 and the memory interface 121.

The processor 122 controls the electronic device 100 to provide various multimedia and communication services using at least one software program, and performs GUI operation of the electronic device to the display unit 131 through the input / output processing unit 130. It is displayed so as to be confirmed, and the input device 132 is controlled to provide a command received from the outside of the electronic device 100. At this time, the processor 122 may control to provide a service corresponding to the corresponding program by executing at least one program stored in the memory 110.

The audio processor 133 may provide an audio interface between the user and the electronic device 100 through the speaker 134 and the microphone 135.

The communication system 136 may perform a communication function. For example, the communication system 136 may use other electronics by using at least one of mobile communication, such as through a base station, short-range wireless communication, such as infrared wireless communication (IrDA), Bluetooth, and wireless LAN communication, and wired communication. It is also possible to perform communication with the device.

The input / output processing unit 130 may provide an interface between an input / output device such as the display unit 131 and the input device 132 and the peripheral device interface 123.

The input device 132 may provide input data generated by a user's selection to the processor unit 120 through the input / output processing unit 130. For example, the input device 132 may include only a control button for controlling the electronic device 100. In another example, the input device 132 is a keypad for receiving input data from a user. It may be configured.

However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, the input device 132 may be provided by being included in the display unit 131 using a touch screen method. At this time, the touch screen method may use a touch screen device that operates in an electrostatic method, a touch screen device that operates in a decompression method, or the like.

The display unit 131 receives status information of the electronic device 100, characters input by a user, moving picture, and still picture, etc. from the processor unit 120 and displays it through the input / output processing unit 130 can do. For example, the processor 122 may have a touch recognition mode related to a program being executed in the electronic device 100 (direct touch mode with the front cover open or cover touch mode with the front cover closed). It can be controlled to be displayed on the display unit 131 according to the setting information corresponding to.

Like the input device 132, when the display unit 131 is configured as a touch screen, both the function of the display unit 131 and the function of the input device 132 may be performed on one touch screen.

The hall sensor 137 may be installed to sense the magnetic force of the magnet installed on the front cover according to this embodiment. The hall sensor may sense the magnetic force of the magnet when the front cover is closed and provide a detection signal to the processor 122.

The proximity sensor 138 may detect the closing of the front cover according to this embodiment. The proximity sensor may detect that the front cover is close to the touch screen when the front cover is closed, and provide a detection signal to the processor 122.

The proximity sensor 138 may detect the closing of the front cover according to this embodiment. The proximity sensor 138 may detect that the front cover is close to the touch screen when the front cover is closed, and provide a detection signal to the processor 122. According to an embodiment, when the front cover is closed, the image sensor 139 may detect that the front cover is close to the touch screen, and may provide a detection signal to the processor 122.

13 is a block diagram of a processor according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 13, the processor 122 may include a touch recognition controller 150, a GUI controller 160, and an application program driver 170.

The touch recognition controller 150 may determine the corresponding function according to the direct touch input or the cover touch input by considering the touch mode according to the opening and closing of the front cover by executing the touch recognition control program 117 stored in the storage 110. . Specifically, according to a detection signal detecting that the front cover of the electronic device is closed, information may be displayed only at a position corresponding to the transparent window of the display unit 131. In addition, the touch recognition controller 150 may control the GUI controller to detect the operation of the external key button in the sleep mode and display status information of the electronic device. Here, the status information may be one or more basic information such as battery level information, weather information, time information, and transmission / reception sensitivity of the electronic device. Also, it may be information for receiving and confirming a message. The touch recognition controller 150 may change the touch mode according to a detection signal that detects that the front cover is closed. If the front cover is open, a sensing mode capable of directly touching the touch screen or sensing a touch by a touch pen may be performed. In addition, in the state in which the front cover is closed, it is possible to perform a change to the cover touch module that can be detected even by touching the top surface of the front cover.

The GUI control unit 160 controls to display the user interface graphically on the display unit 131 by executing the GUI program 114 stored in the program storage unit 111. For example, the GUI control unit 160 controls to display the application program information driven by the application program driver 170 on the display unit 131. For example, when the cover touch mode is determined by the touch recognition controller 150, the display information may be controlled to be displayed only in a region corresponding to the transparent window region included in the front cover of the display unit 131.

The application program driving unit 170 may execute at least one application program 113 stored in the program storage unit 111 to provide a service according to the application program.

In another embodiment, the electronic device 100 may include a separate control module for determining a touch function according to touch information.

14 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 14, the electronic device may check the cover closing (1401). Here, the cover closing may refer to a state in which the front cover of the protective case provided with the electronic device is closed and overlapped on the top of the touch screen. When the front cover is closed, the electronic device may detect the closing of the front cover according to a detection signal sensed by a predetermined detection means for the detection means provided on the cover. For example, the sensing means may be a magnet installed in place on the front cover, and the sensing means may be a hall sensor or a reed switch disposed at a corresponding position of the electronic device.

After detecting the closing of the front cover, the electronic device may perform a cover touch mode (1403). The cover touch mode detects a touch input performed on an upper portion of the front cover in a state in which the front cover is closed. In this case, the reference sensitivity value of the touch screen may be changed as shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B. . 16A and 16B show the operation sensitivity and operation mode change of the touch screen according to the opening and closing of the front cover. For example, when it is changed to the cover touch mode, the electronic device may control to recognize the hovering input when a certain hovering sensitivity abnormality is detected.

Thereafter, the electronic device ends the present algorithm.

15 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a cover touch of an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 15, the electronic device may check whether the cover is closed (1501). If the cover is closed, the electronic device may perform a cover touch mode (1503). Here, the cover touch mode may be an operation of sensing a touch input on the upper portion of the front cover when the front cover is closed and displaying corresponding state information on the touch screen as a display unit. For example, when it is changed to the cover touch mode, the electronic device may be an operation of recognizing a hovering input when a certain hovering sensitivity abnormality is detected. The cover touch mode may be an operation to display status information of the electronic device only in a region of the touch screen corresponding to the transparent window of the front cover. The status information may be, for example, one or more basic information such as battery level information, weather information, time information, and transmission / reception sensitivity of the electronic device, but is not limited thereto. Also, it may be information for receiving and confirming a message.

If it is not confirmed in operation 1501 that the cover is closed, the electronic device performs a general touch mode (1505). The general touch mode may be a touch mode by direct contact of a user's finger or a touch pen on a touch screen to input data. The general touch mode may include a direct touch of the touch screen through the detection of a pen touch panel (aka 'digitizer') provided separately from the touch panel of the touch screen in the electronic device or a hovering input spaced apart from the touch screen surface at regular intervals. have. For example, the hovering input may be a touch for performing an operation such as preview in a normal touch mode in which the front cover is opened.

The electronic device may check the touch input according to the cover touch mode while the cover touch mode is performed (1507). In an embodiment, the electronic device may sense a touch input received by the user at the top of the front cover while the front cover is closed. The touch input may be an operation preset in the electronic device. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic device may output a corresponding function according to a touch input (1511). According to various embodiments, the corresponding function may be a function of outputting various status information of the electronic device displayed on the touch screen through the transparent window of the front cover. According to various embodiments, the corresponding function may be a function of outputting sound information such as voice and sound output through the electronic device. According to various embodiments, the corresponding function may be a function of outputting tactile information such as vibration output through an electronic device. According to various embodiments, the electronic device may control to perform a corresponding function according to a touch input even in an area other than the window of the front cover in the cover touch mode. For example, upon receiving a call, a touch function may be performed by performing a touch input by an operation such as dragging a touch area of an electronic device corresponding to an existing call for receiving a call, or an area of a front cover corresponding to a call.

If the touch input is not detected even though the cover touch mode is checked in operation 1507, the electronic device may check whether a certain time has elapsed (1509). If a certain time has not elapsed, operation 1503 may be continued.

If it is confirmed that a certain time has elapsed, the electronic device may deactivate the cover touch mode or the electronic device (1513). This is due to the fact that the touch cover is often held in the hand and carried while the touch cover performs a touch input while the front cover of the protective case is closed. This is because if the cover touch mode is performed even after a certain time has elapsed, an unwanted function may be performed by recognizing it as a cover touch even when it is held in the hand for carrying. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the touch input in the cover touch mode is defined as an operation that cannot be detected when it is held in the hand for carrying by using a specific operation, for example, a grip sensor or a proximity sensor. Any touch input may be excluded.

Even if the cover touch mode is deactivated, the electronic device may check whether an event for the cover touch mode has occurred again (1515). In one embodiment, when the information is received in the sleep mode, the electronic device displays operation 1503 to perform the cover touch mode again by displaying the corresponding information in the area of the touch screen and the transparent window of the front cover to notify the user when the information is received in the sleep mode. It can be done. The received information may be a text message provided from another electronic device. The received information may be a notification message provided from another service provider. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the received information may be information according to various output requests such as a notification message, a notification sound, and a notification vibration generated by the electronic device itself. In one embodiment, even if the cover touch mode is deactivated, the electronic device may reactivate the cover touch mode by detecting an input of a key button or the like disposed outside the electronic device by the user.

Obviously, there are many different ways to modify these embodiments while remaining within the scope of the claims. In other words, there may be various ways in which the present invention may be practiced without departing from the scope of the claims below.

100: electronic device 200: protective case
210: front cover 211: outer layer
212: reinforcement plate 213: endothelial layer
220: connection 230: rear cover

Claims (20)

In a portable communication device,
A touch screen forming at least a part of the front surface of the portable communication device and sensing an input based on touch sensitivity;
A cover attached to the portable communication device and including a front cover corresponding to the front surface of the portable communication device and a rear cover corresponding to a rear surface of the portable communication device;
A sensor for determining whether the cover has been opened or closed with respect to the touch screen; And
It includes at least one processor;
The at least one processor,
Based on the information received from the sensor, it is determined whether the cover is opened or closed based on the touch screen,
When it is determined that the cover is opened with respect to the touch screen, the first input input to the touch screen is sensed using the first touch sensitivity,
When it is determined that the cover is closed with respect to the touch screen, a portable communication device detecting a second input to the front cover by using a second touch sensitivity different from the first touch sensitivity.
The method according to claim 1,
The at least one processor,
If it is determined that the front cover is closed to the touch screen, the portable communication device controls the touch screen to display status information of the portable communication device.
The method according to claim 2,
The at least one processor,
Determine whether the second input is input to the status information of the portable communication device,
Based on the input second input, the portable communication device performs a function corresponding to the state of the portable communication device or controls the touch screen to display additional information corresponding to the state of the portable communication device.
The method according to claim 2,
The at least one processor,
The touch screen is controlled to display the state information of the portable communication device on an area of the touch screen,
One area of the front cover allows the one area of the touch screen on which the status information of the portable communication device is displayed to be visible from the outside of the portable communication device.
The method according to claim 4,
The one area of the front cover comprises a translucent material,
Information corresponding to the state of the portable communication device displayed through the one area of the touch screen based on the second input is visible from the outside of the portable communication device through the translucent material.
The method according to claim 2,
The at least one processor,
After it is determined that the front cover is closed with respect to the touch screen, it is determined whether a specified time has elapsed,
A portable communication device that stops displaying the status information of the portable communication device on the touch screen based on the determination that a specified time has elapsed.
The method according to claim 4,
Further comprising a communication circuit,
The at least one processor,
Receiving a call from an external electronic device using the communication circuit, with the cover closed to the touch screen,
Control the touch screen to display a user interface on the one area of the touch screen based on the received call,
The user interface includes a first menu for accepting the received call and a second menu for rejecting the received call.
The method according to claim 7,
When the second input to the first menu is detected, a telephone function is executed,
When the second input to the second menu is detected, the portable communication device does not execute the telephone function.
The method according to claim 7,
The user interface further includes caller identification information corresponding to the received call.
The method according to claim 7,
The at least one processor,
After it is determined that the front cover is closed with respect to the touch screen, it is determined whether a specified time has elapsed,
A portable communication device ignoring a third input input to the front cover based on a determination that a specified time has elapsed.
The method according to claim 10,
The at least one processor,
A portable communication device that detects a fourth input input to the front cover based on the determination that a specified event has occurred after the specified time has elapsed.
The method according to claim 10,
The designated event includes at least one of receiving a text message, receiving a call, receiving a notification message, receiving a notification vibration, and receiving a notification sound.
The method according to claim 1,
The sensor includes a hall sensor,
The at least one processor,
Using the hall sensor, the magnetic force generated by the magnet disposed on the cover is detected,
And based on the magnetic force, determining whether the cover is opened or closed relative to the touch screen.
A cover applied to a portable communication device,
A rear cover configured to cover a rear surface of the portable communication device and to be detachably attached to the portable communication device;
A front cover which is connected to the rear cover and is configured to cover at least a portion of the touch screen of the portable communication device, and which can be opened or closed based on the touch screen of the portable communication device; And
And at least one magnet used to determine whether the front cover is opened or closed based on the touch screen.
One area of the front cover is such that when the cover is closed with respect to the touch screen of the portable communication device, one area of the touch screen of the portable communication device is visually visible to the outside of the cover.
The method according to claim 14,
The area of the front cover comprises a partially transparent or translucent plate.
The method according to claim 14,
The rear cover includes an opening that allows at least a portion of a rear surface of the portable communication device to be viewed.
The method according to claim 14,
Further comprising; shielding means for selectively shielding the magnetic force of said at least one magnet;
The shielding means is disposed at a position overlapping the at least one magnet, the cover.
The method according to claim 14,
Further comprising a connecting portion for connecting the front cover and the rear cover,
The connection portion, the cover extending from the front cover to the rear cover.
The method according to claim 14,
The rear cover is configured to cover a battery embedded in the portable communication device.
The method according to claim 14,
The rear cover is configured to cover at least one surface of an external housing of the portable communication device.

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